Question

Which of the following statements about the coding of sensory stimuli from the skin is FALSE?

		The resolution of sensory brain maps (e.g., in the somatosensory cortex) from the skin is the same for all parts of the body.
		The map of a skin surface in the somatosensory cortex can be altered by increased stimulation of that region of the skin.
		The ability to decode the dot patterns such as Braille when touching a surface (e.g., on a number pad in an elevator) depends on activity in slowly adapting mechanoreceptors.
		Coding the location of stimuli delivered to the skin is facilitated by the orderly maps of the skin surface in the brain, e.g., in the somatosensory cortex.

Answer 1

The resolution of sensory brain maps (e.g., in the somatosensory cortex) from the skin is the same for all parts of the body.

The resolution of sensory brain maps differs for different parts of the body. For instance, the skin of the hands, the feet, and the face are represented by more area in the somatosensory cortex, as compared to the arms and legs. This is because of a higher degree of innervation of these regions as compared to regions of low resolution.